Sharbat (not to be confused with sorbet, a frozen fruit based dessert) is a Persian influenced soft drink concentrate popular in and around the Indian sub-continent. It is said that the Mughal emperors got ice shipped to their palaces from the Himalayas to enjoy cool fruity drinks in the hot Indian summer. Kings and their whims and fancies! I am just glad us common folk have ice and fruit easily available to us nowadays.
Sharbat can be had with cold water or milk depending on their flavor. Rose flavored sharbat is a traditional favorite. I have made juice concentrates before, if you would recollect my lemon-mint-ginger cooler earlier this summer. This time, I thought I might call this juice concentrate sharbat because I used grapes, the fruit fit for kings and nobles. Angoor ka sharbat (angoor is Hindi for grapes) just sounded so royal and fancy.
I have used red grapes here, black ones would give you the deep burgundy color similar to an aged red wine. Use your favorite grape variety and see what color and flavor you come up with. Speaking of which, how about adding some fragrant sweet spices to up the flavor quotient?
I used cinnamon (or more precisely, the cassia bark more commonly used in India), cloves and green cardamom. I decided to leave the star anise out because I didn’t want a too-complex flavor. You can use one or any combination of spices or none at all. I added the spices bundled in a soft muslin cloth while simmering the grape juice on the stove. This way, the spices can be easily removed when you feel they have done their job. I did not use any preservatives, just a little lemon juice. So this sharbat will need to be refrigerated and used up in a few days. If you are smart and know proper canning techniques, you can make longer-lasting bottles of sharbat.
I almost always mix a light drink, so it’s all a matter of personal taste. Mix as much or as little of the sharbat concentrate with water, add lots of ice and sip on it like a queen (or king)!
Experiment with different flavors if you want. Ginger, mint, orange juice or zest and so on and so forth. Coming up with your own blend is what will make your sharbat unique and special.
ANGOOR KA SHARBAT (RED GRAPE JUICE CONCENTRATE)
You will need:
- Red Grapes – 2 lbs (or a kilo), soaked and washed in a vinegar-water solution
- Drinking water – 1 1/2 cups
- Sugar – 1 cup
- Lemon – 1, juiced
- Whole spices – 1″ piece of cinnamon, 2-3 cloves, 5-6 pods of green cardamom (bundled in a clean, thin cloth)
How to:
- Puree and strain the grapes to make pure grape juice and keep aside.
- In a large saucepan, gently boil the water, sugar, lemon juice and the spices. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, boil it further for 4-5 minutes to make a light syrup. Add the fresh grape juice and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Discard the spice bundle when you feel the concentrate is fragrant enough. Skim the scum off from the top and strain the concentrate.
- Cool slightly, pour into clean and dry jars. Cover tightly with a lid once they are completely cooled and store in the refrigerator.
- To make a drink, mix one part concentrate with 3 or4 parts water (depending on how light you want it), add ice and serve.
Notes:
- Leave the spices out if you are apprehensive about their flavor in your cool drink.
- Experiment with ginger juice or a little orange juice and zest.
- You can replace the grape juice with lemon or lime juice (see this recipe).
- If you have access to fragrant edible flowers like rose, steep them in the concentrate to make a more flavorful drink.
As much as I hate the too-hot-for-comfort Texan sun, I actually prefer summer to winter any day. And I just realized that cooler climes will here before I realize (shudder!).
So, here’s to all things sunny and bright!
Have you had sharbat? What is your favorite flavor? Do share.
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I read books in which sherbet is featured, but this is my first time to an interpretation of it.
I was reading through your blog yesterday evening. I’m so glad I did. Good recipes with thoughtful photography is always a treat. I stayed away from the cakes. Too much temptation there. 😉
Basically any fruit/flavoring combo can be made into a sharbat, it is like a non-alcoholic cordial.
I am so glad you like my blog, Steven. I appreciate your kind words.
And I know what you mean about cakes and desserts. Sometimes when I browse dessert only blogs or magazines, I always end up craving some! Haha!!
I don’t just crave it — I make it. 😉
I got my own private ladoo a few months ago. Oh, the sits ups it took to get rid of. 😉
🙂
I absolutely love this! I wonder if i could do something like this with grapefruit juice?
Yes, I think you can. Let me know if you try it!
I was planning on making grape concentrate for drink as a way to make use of all the grapes we have just now – glad I didn’t do it before seeing your recipe. Thanks for posting.
I hope to see your version soon, Hilda!
Wow! So refreshing! 🙂
Thank you!
Looks exotic and quite refreshing! Love the spices! Happy FF!
Thank you, Lisa!
Gorgeous post, and just love the arrangement of all your spices :). Your attention to detail is fascinating, always love your photography skills. Simple, clean lines.
Thank you, Loretta. Appreciate it!
Never had something like this! This is super fun Anjana!
Thank you, Lori!
My, is this ever such a pretty color! I am overflowing with grapes right now and can’t get enough of them. Just yesterday I saw “cotton candy” grapes, and this morning bought fresh kyoto (deep purple) grapes at the farmer’s market. Now I have another idea of what to do with them, thank you!!!
The purple ones would give such a lovely color. I hope you try it!
I love this.. Reminds me Childhood days:-) will try soon
Thank you, Vidya. I hope you try it!
This looks so gorgeous Anjana! Love the addition of spices & your pics r divine 🙂
Thank you so much, Naina!
Never thought of a juice concentrate. So lovely! The spices make it even more exotic!
Thank you, Apsara. The concentrate makes it easier on those hot days – instant refreshment!
I love the addition of spices! and sherbet sounds nice, so much better than juice or drink. Clever!
Thank you, Namrata!
I am in love with this post Anjana! The recipe, the pics, the look, the effect, the oomph, the rustic character…and what not!!! Super amazing! May I share this on my FB wall?
Oh, thank you so much, Sonal! You can share this anywhere you wish. I’d be honored dear!!
Thanks Anjana :).
oye hoye……..angoor, angoori , angooriest 😉 this look yum 🙂
Haha 🙂
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
I love this. It looks so refreshing and sounds so delicious! It’s a must try for me!! ❤️
Thank you, Prudy!
love this drink. My mum used to stock up on this during summers; reminds me that I need to make a batch myself.
Thank you, Dhanya. I hope you try it!
indeed, summer will soon be here and I will definitely need it then.
What lovely colour you’ve achieved x
Thanks to those lovely red grapes 😉
Refreshing spicy drink… Happy drinking!
Thank you, Ema!